I am a huge fan of spy dramas and documentaries.  The twists and turns, covert plots, secret codes, and double agents are just fascinating to me.

One of the most notable things in every spy film I’ve ever watched is how one side will work to uncover the other side’s most vulnerable weakness and exploit it.  Without exception, this is done by targeting what the spy holds most dear – their family or those closest to them.

If a spy’s loved one is captured, used as bait, threatened, or mistreated, that spy quickly becomes putty in the other team’s hands. 

As Christ-followers, we are pitted against the most ruthless and cunning of spies – the devil himself and his agents.  Playing fair is nowhere on their agenda and the enemy’s team seems to continually and pervasively use, target, attack, and torment our loved ones in order to derail us from our faith mission.

Make no mistake, it’s premeditated, calculated, and strategic.

Target your spouse’s health? Absolutely! 

Attack your children’s mind and faith?  Yes! 

Meddle in your family’s unity?  Of course! 

Nothing is off limits!

Seeing our loved ones suffer evokes a natural empathy in us to do everything we can to make it better and the devil knows this.  He will push this button as frequently as he needs in a concentrated effort to cut us off at the knees and have us chasing our tails in worry, fear, doubt, and confusion.

The book of Job showcases this type of activity with raw transparency.  The enemy targeted everyone that Job held most dear in an effort to get Job to renounce his faith in God.   Job suffered physically, mentally, and emotionally while hanging on to his faith by a thread. 

He didn’t cave, though.  Job held on and God, “…blessed the last part of Job’s life more than the first.” (Job 42:12)

If you read the story, you’ll quickly discover that Job’s case was extreme – everyone close to him perished. 

However, Scriptures record numerous other instances of loved ones being targeted with outcomes that vary widely!  From healings to demonic deliverances to extraordinary stories of those loved ones being raised from the dead, the following are just a few examples:

~Mary & Martha’s brother, Lazarus, who became sick and died (John 11: 1- 46)

~A father whose son was tormented with epilepsy brought on by a demon (Matthew 17: 14-21)

~A widow whose only son died (Luke 7: 11-18)

~A Centurion whose beloved and faithful servant became paralyzed (Matthew 8: 5-13)

~The disciple Peter’s mother-in-law who was struck ill with a high fever (Luke 4: 38-40)

The list goes on and on, but the lesson woven throughout each account is this – remembering that God is always greater than the one that is in this world is key. (I John 4:4) Ultimately, He is the one who can save our loved ones and release them from the enemy who has been targeting them!

Is it easy?  No.  Seeing the enemy sabotage those we hold most dear is never easy, yet Jesus will always equip us with sufficient amounts of grace (2 Cor. 12:9), a generous supply of wisdom (James 1:5), and a full set of tools (Eph. 6: 10-18).

If you’re in the middle of spiritual hostage negotiations for someone you love today, don’t faint, friend!  The battle ultimately belongs to the Lord who loves and cares for our dear ones more deeply and completely than we ever could.  

Engage your faith to believe that His grace is undeniably sufficient and His timing is absolutely perfect (Eccl. 3:11)!

Until next time, Grace and Glory!